Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 43mm Stainless Steel Cal. 3235 Dive Watch - ALL S.S.

Watch Overview

Presenting this Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller, reference 126600 — a professional dive watch designed for saturation diving and extreme underwater exploration. Powered by the robust Rolex Caliber 3235 automatic officially certified chronometer movement with 31 jewels, sweep-second hand and date indicator. This piece features a classic black dial with luminous hour markers and hands, a date aperture at 3 o’clock with Cyclops lens and the signature “Sea-Dweller 4000ft = 1220m” depth rating on the dial.

The 43mm stainless steel Oyster case includes a unidirectional rotating bezel with black insert, a helium escape valve, screw-down crown, and sapphire crystal. Paired with the stainless steel Oyster bracelet, this model embodies the rugged elegance of Rolex’s tool watches. This Sea-Dweller is offered with a Rolex presentation box, making it an ideal collector’s watch.

Product Details

General Specifications

• Brand: Rolex
• Type: Wristwatch
• Model: Sea-Dweller
• Reference: 126600
• Year / Era: Modern Classic
• Gender: Men’s
• Country of Manufacture: Switzerland – Swiss Made

Dial & Display

• Display: Analog
• Color: Black
• Features: Luminous hour markers and hands, sweep seconds, white minute/second track and date calendar at 3 o’clock with Cyclops lens.

Movement

• Type: Automatic
• Caliber: Rolex 3235
• Jewels: 31
• Movement Functions:
  • Self-winding
  • Hours, minutes, sweep seconds
  • Superlative chronometer-certified accuracy
  • Adjusted 5 positions and temperature
  • Date with quickset
  • Hacking seconds
  • Helium escape valve
• Power Reserve:70-hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vph

Case & Band

• Material: Stainless steel with brushed/polished finish
• Case Shape: Round Oyster
• Bezel: Unidirectional rotating black bezel. Count-Up/Dive.
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Back: Screw
• Crown: Rolex screw-down
• Water Resistance: 1220m / 4000ft
• Band Type: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet with Rolex clasp
• Case Back Markings: Rolex Oyster Sea-Dweller Original Gas Escape Valve

Case Measurements (mm)

• Case Size: 43
• Case Diameter w/Crown: 47
• Case Lug to Lug: 50.2
• Case Thickness: 15
• Lug Width: -
• Band Width: 21.5

Additional Info

• Box & Papers: Rolex presentation box. Not papers.
• Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear; strong case and bezel; luminous material; all functional
• Extras: Fully inspected and authenticated by our watchmaker, this timepiece is running accurately and ready to wear.

History & Legacy of the Rolex Sea-Dweller

Introduced in 1967, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller was designed to meet the demands of saturation diving, a technique that allowed divers to work at great depths for extended periods. These missions involved living in pressurized environments and breathing helium-rich gas, which could seep into watch cases and cause dangerous pressure buildup during decompression. To solve this, Rolex developed a helium escape valve that automatically releases excess internal pressure, preserving the watch's integrity during ascent. Originally waterproof to 610 metres (2,000 feet), the Sea-Dweller’s depth rating doubled to 1,220 metres (4,000 feet) by 1978, making it a vital tool for professional divers.

Rolex continually improved the Sea-Dweller in collaboration with Comex, a leader in underwater engineering. Their partnership, formalized in 1971, pushed the watch to new extremes, including real-world testing in programs like Tektite and record-breaking dives by Comex divers. Comex also helped develop hyperbaric test chambers now used to certify Rolex watches under extreme pressure, including the Deepsea Challenge, tested to 13,750 metres (45,112 feet). The Sea-Dweller stands as a benchmark of reliability, precision, and innovation in the world of deep-sea exploration.

About Second Hand Horology

At SECOND HAND HOROLOGY, we offer a curated selection of watches ranging from vintage to modern, including both brand-new and pre-owned timepieces. We’re committed to quality, accuracy, and integrity. Our listings feature:

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